Tell Me You Love Me: HBO Cancels Racy Drama, No Season Two

Published: July 29, 2008

Eight months after HBO picked up Tell Me You Love Me for a second year, the TV series hasn’t returned. Now, apparently, it never will. What happened?

The sexually-explicit drama debuted on September 9, 2007 and revolves around three couples, each with their own set of intimacy problems. They seek help from Dr. May Foster (Jane Alexander), an analyst with relationship issues of her own. The series’ ensemble cast includes Michelle Borth, Tim DeKay, Luke Kirby, Adam Scott, David Selby, Katharine Towne, Sonya Walger, and Ally Walker. The tenth episode aired on November 10, 2007.

The ratings for the show’s first season weren’t great but HBO renewed Tell Me for another season after just four episodes had aired. Despite the renewal, the show didn’t return to production. Now, it appears that the reason for the stall was that creator/executive producer Cynthia Mort couldn’t figure out what should come next.

In a written statement, she said, “Given the considerable amount of time that has passed and despite the best efforts of everyone involved, we were unable to find the direction of the show for the second season. There are so many other stories to tell and many other ways to tell them. I look forward to doing that with HBO in the future.”

The cancellation decision was apparently a mutual decision. HBO has a development deal with Mort and intends to continue working with her. Michael Lombardo, HBO’s West Coast president, said, “We really feel Cynthia has an important voice that belongs on HBO and we look forward to the next show she will create for us.” Stay tuned!

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I was soooo waiting for the 2nd season to be out on dvd..i dont have hbo but as soon as i bought the 1st season i wanted to see what was coming up in the next season…im so bummed..i really was waiting for it..

This is absolutely disheartening. My wife and I have waited…..and waited for the return of this fresh, bold and REAL illustration of intimacy problems in various stages of couples’ relationships. The show offered “water cooler” chat for dating/attached/engaged/married couples – hopefully, to detour any potential problems that arise.

I HONESTLY can’t believe the “inability to decide on the ultimate direction of the next season” as the TRUE reason for the Tell Me’s demise. Any writer/creator has already alternate story lines before the original storyline is published/written/adapted for screen. The three storylines had so much run for expanding – it was Mort’s lack of interest, lack of financial compensation, or some other self-created problems that has ACTUALLY prevented the second season from fruition.

OHH COME ON!!! i was waiting and waiting!!! now this crap! that show was so good. it was more of a reality show then anything else out there. it was real people and real problems. there arent any other shows like it…they should hurry up and firgure out which way they want the show to go!. like seriously…and why even put the first season on dvd? there aint gunna be no collection!!!

I really liked the show. It was a honest portrayal of how tough relationships are and how much they are worth fighting for. It is really an adult show in a tv climate where everything is made for a teen demographic that was refreshing. When do you ever see an elderly couple in love and actually having sex. Anyway boo HBO for canceling such a great show

I am so sick of HBO, this is just like Big Love and Entourage everyone waited 2 years for season 3 and they only showed what? 6-7 episodes? So now what?, wait another 2 years? How do you expect people to get into a series or have a successful series when you yourself as a company can not come up with a reasonable amount of time in between seasons to keep the viewers interested. I am so upset they cancelled this show and didn’t even have the nerve to post it on their website or announce it. I’m about to cancel my HBO on demand and get Showtime this has gotten ridiculous.

I guess i am really slow at finding out when shows arn’t coming back. You never hear anything. You have to go searching on the internet to find the gossip. Why would you write a show with only 1 season in mind? I find it pathetic that the writer couldn’t decide which direction the show should go in. There is no other show on TV that gave such an honest look at life. I am very dissappointed. Yet again another show i enjoyed and now it has been cancelled. People are going to stop watching new shows all together when it seems they are always getting cancelled.

I am so so so so upset. I got hooked on this when it first came on. My partner and I called out of work so that we could watch all of the episodes. We have been waiting and waiting for the second season. Everynight, I check the on-demand listings, EVERYNIGHT!!!!!! Ugh! I mean, two years now. Are you kidding?!?!?!?!?!?! What a shitty thing to do! I AM PISSSSSSSSEEEEEEDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I am extremely dissappointed that the show is not returning. My sister peaked my interest in the show and I watched all of the episodes on demand. After the last episode – I was really looking forward to the second season and so was she. We were hooked and saw ourselves in each of the female characters. What a waste to be left hanging

well, if this woman ever creates another show, i will NEVER watch it…i got into this show and i’m dissappointed it isn’t returning. she certainly gives a bad name to female leaders…indecisive…unable to deal…